Texas and Oklahoma look to leave earlier than expected. Also: Pickleball gets its TV deal; an NBA broadcasting legend passes away; and more sports media news.
Texas and Oklahoma may leave the Big 12 early
Although Texas and Oklahoma are scheduled to leave the Big 12 conference in 2025, the delay in releasing the 2023 conference schedule is due to current negotiations by the two schools to leave for the SEC early. Although leaving early would result in approximately $100 million in exit fees, according to a CBS Sports report, it would benefit both parties. Texas and Oklahoma would get their move earlier and wouldn’t have to play any of the new Big 12 members. Meanwhile, the eight legacy Big 12 schools who agreed to dilute their share of the first two years of the new $380 million/year ESPN and Fox deal to help fund newcomers BYU, Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston, could be made whole through the Texas and Oklahoma exit fees.
While ESPN also holds SEC rights, and thus the Texas and Oklahoma rights should they move, Fox would need to be compensated in order for any early exit to occur. CBS Sports reports that the “games as currency” compensation package for Fox could be Texas and Oklahoma playing road non-conference games against Big 12 teams. (SBJ 1.23, CBS Sports 1.19)
Pickleball strikes TV deal with ESPN, CBS
The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) came to an agreement with ESPN and CBS to broadcast their 16 APP Tour events. While the specific terms have not been disclosed, a Front Office Sports report indicates that 12 hours of live matches will take place on the CBS Sports Network and 8 hours of event recap telecast will be on ESPN2. This will be combined with 200+ hours of streamable matches on ESPN+ and APP TV. Pickleball ranked as the fastest growing sport in the United States in 2021 and 2022. The next APP Tour event is the APP Daytona Beach Open in Holly Hill, Florida from February 8-12. (Front Office Sports 1.23)
Bill Schonely, longtime Portland Trail Blazers broadcaster, dies
Former Portland Trail Blazers broadcaster Bill Schonely passed away on January 21 at 93 years of age. Schonely was the team’s broadcaster in their inaugural season in 1970 until he moved into a team ambassador role in 1998. Known as “The Schonz,” he broadcasted over 2,200 games and coined the term “Rip City,” which has appeared on several iterations of the team’s uniforms since 2010. Schonely was recognized by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2012 (ESPN 1.21)
Plus: Speedvision on FuboTV, NBA Meta deal, Chip Caray, Rick Tocchet
Speedvision, relaunched in 2022 as an ad-supported streaming channel, will be added to FuboTV’s streaming packages. … The NBA signed a multi-year extension with Meta on their virtual reality partnership. … Atlanta Braves broadcaster Chip Caray, grandson of famous baseball broadcaster Harry Caray, will become the new St. Louis Cardinals play-by-play announcer. … Rick Tocchet will leave The NHL on TNT to become the new Vancouver Canucks head coach. (SBJ Speedvision 1.23, SBJ NBA 1.23, The Athletic 1.23, Yahoo 1.22)
